[Q]Time deviation of expectation value

good_phy
Messages
45
Reaction score
0
Hi,

You know famous equation, \frac{d<A>}{dt} = <\frac{i}{\hbar}[\hat{H},\hat{A}] + \frac{\partial\hat{H}}{\partial t} >

But liboff said if \frac{\partial \hat{A} }{\partial t} = 0 then, \frac{d<\hat{A}>}{dt} = 0

this is the proof

\frac{d<A>}{dt} = \frac{i}{\hbar}<\varphi_{n}|[\hat{H},\hat{A}]\varphi_{n}> = \frac{i}{\hbar}<\varphi_{n}|(\hat{H}\hat{A}-\hat{A}\hat{H})\varphi_{n}>
=\frac{i}{\hbar}(<\hat{H}\varphi_{n}|\hat{A}\varphi_{n}> - <\varphi|\hat{A}\hat{H}\varphi_{n}>)
\frac{i}{\hbar}E_{n}(<\varphi_{n}|\hat{A}\varphi_{n}> - <\varphi_{n}|\hat{A}\varphi_{n}>) = 0

If it is right, we can conclude time deviation of expectation value of certain operator is zero if and only if corresponding operator is not depending on time, no matter what value of [H,A]
is!

is it right? i can't accept this theorem.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
This theorem is only valid for eigenstates of H. d<A>/dt is generally nonzero for non-stationary states unless A commutes with H.
 
The state vector is a function of time in the Schrödinger picture, as opposed to the Heisenberg picture, appears to be what you are using. In general the state vector will then be evolving as a superposition of eigenstates.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
3K